The invention discloses a method for treating waste water generated in ionic
rare earth production. The method includes (1) feeding
sodium carbonate into the waste water, keeping the pH (potential of
hydrogen) value to range from 7.5 to 8.5, mixing the
sodium carbonate with the waste water for 10 to 25 minutes,
settling the mixture for 15 to 35 minutes, separating
sediment and enabling
calcium ion removal rate to reach 98% at least; (2) regulating the pH value of the mixture to range from 8.5 to 9.5 by supernate after
sedimentation, simultaneously feeding
magnesium chloride and
sodium hydrogen phosphate into the mixture according to a ratio of n(Mg):n(N):N(P) of (1.5-2):(1-1.5):(1.2-2), mixing and stirring the mixture for 20 to 30 minutes,
settling the mixture for 15 to 30 minutes, separating mud from water; and (3) repeating the step (2) once, regulating the pH value to range from 6 to 9 by the aid of
hydrochloride acid after
settling and water draining are performed in a secondary MAP (
magnesium ammonium phosphate) method, then removing salt by a
reverse osmosis membrane, and recycling drained water for production. The quantity of the fed
sodium carbonate ranges from 105% to 120% of the
molar concentration of
calcium ions. Reveres
osmosis concentrated liquor is used as an industrial salt
raw material to be recycled after being dried. The method has the advantages of low cost, thorough and short reaction process, small size of reaction device, simple equipment and the like.